The Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday, handed down a stern warning to transporters who continue to breach the existing restriction order by travelling at night.
They face tough consequences, the IGP said in a state issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Their intransigence, the IGP added, was counter-productive as it undermined the tireless efforts of the Federal Government at curbing the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
“This warning,” Mba explained in the statement, “is sequel to intelligence at the disposal of the Force showing that road transport workers, especially interstate operators, have continued to defy the lockdown order and cessation of movements as emplaced by the Federal Government as they continue to embark on night journeys.
“Consequently, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police to ensure full implementation of the restriction order, especially as it relates to night travel without being unmindful of categories of exempted persons and the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”
While restating that the lockdown was for 24 hours daily, and that night hours were not excluded, Mba said the IGP urged the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association, among others, “to warn their members to strictly adhere to the restriction order of the Federal Government, warning that violators will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Adamu expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their understanding and cooperation with the Federal Government and the Force in particular on the restriction of movement, assuring that his organisation would continue to do its best to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
“The IGP equally enjoins Nigerians to take advantage of emergency numbers of the Force which can be found at https://www.npf.gov.ng/